By Our Court Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -23 Oct 2026,11.00 P.M.) Reaffirming yesterday's court order instructing protesters staging a satyagraha near Viharamahadevi Park—demanding the release of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero—to vacate the premises, the court has rejected a request submitted by the protest group to modify the decision. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered today (23) that the decision cannot be altered in any way.
The protesters had filed a motion requesting the withdrawal or modification of the order, which was issued yesterday (22) following a request by the Cinnamon Gardens Police. Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero and other members appeared before the court today to present submissions regarding the restraining order. After considering those submissions, the Chief Magistrate announced his ruling that the order cannot be amended.
Issued under the provisions of Section 106(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979, the order applies to temple chief incumbents, including Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero and Ven. Balangoda Kashyapa Thero, other monks continuously staying at the location, civil activists, and representatives of various political parties.
Accordingly, the relevant parties have been ordered not to obstruct the area near the Buddha statue in front of Viharamahadevi Park, the walking paths, or the following roads:
F.R. Senanayake Mawatha
Lipton Circus
Soysa Circus
Dharmapala Mawatha
Kannangara Mawatha
Green Path
Mal Road (Mal Mawatha)
Furthermore, the order emphasizes that they must refrain from continuously lingering in front of the Prime Minister's Office on Mal Road and near the Buddha statue at Viharamahadevi Park, and must not cause any damage to public or private property.
In delivering the ruling, the Chief Magistrate ordered that if any action is taken in defiance of the order, the police have the authority to take necessary legal action under the Penal Code. In a statement issued yesterday, the police also noted that under Section 106(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, they are empowered to enforce the order, and that violating it constitutes an offense punishable under Section 185 of the Sri Lanka Penal Code.
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by (2026-10-23 17:13:28)
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